Seems like a good time to offer some brainy quotes from the people who pretend to have the country in mind.

And the winners are… the Republican leaders of the Senate and House who appear to be held hostage by the wing-nut fringe of their party — assuming they are not themselves converts to the cause.

John Boehner, for having washed his hands of the matter, waiting for something to happen. Could it be that he wants to hold onto the speakership, no matter what happens to the country?

Mitch McConnell, who vowed with fellow Republicans on inauguration night 2009 that he would block everything President Obama tried–and to make him a one-term president. On the brink or wrecking the economy by refusing to be a statesman, he blames President Obama and the Democrats as usual.

“I did my part; they’ve done nothing. I’m convinced that the president is unwilling to stand up to his own party.”

“They’ve been playing Lucy and the football with the American people for months. They’ve said no to every single proposal that’s been offered to avoid this tax hike—including their own. They’re running out the clock. Moving the goal posts. Sitting on their hands. They aren’t doing anything.”